William Kent Krueger is the award-winning author of the popular Cork O'Connor mysteries. In Purgatory Ridge, Krueger crafts a riveting tale which has ex-sheriff O'Connor on the case after a heated town debate turns deadly. The local Anishinaabe Indian tribe is furious to discover that Karl Lindstrom's lumber mill is after a grove of trees sacred to tribal lore. So when the mill gets bombed, killing a man, the tribe is blamed. But O'Connor has a different theory.
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"The pulse is barely audible then quickens as the book devolops, finally turns into a full charge of adrenaline as we race to the end. This is my third book I have read that Krueger has penned, and he has solidified himself as one of my favorite authors, this book was no exception. Purgatory Ridge at first I thought was going to be different as the book was slow to develop, but necessary as Krueger lays the foundation and develops his story and its wonderful characters. As usual the story envelops around him and his family. Being a former sheriff of Aurora, Cork O'Conor and his wife Jo a local attorney, he seemingly always gets sucked into some type of adventure involving his home in Aurora, MN. This time it concerns the great white pines sacred to the Anishinaabe tribe that are in danger of being logged out by local logging company. The book is full of twists and turns and will have you guessing up the very end who is planting bombs, and threatening the loggers. Seems to be a trademark of Kruegers and he will give you sleepless nights as you forge ahead and flip pages to get to your answers. His characters some are dark and you learn to hate, some full of flavor, and others you grow to love. His characters are not without flaws though and he writes as all authors should, as we as humans are not of the perfect sort. Again as you race towards the end and I do mean race as this book is a thriller as it takes you towards the finish line. If you dare pick up the book be sure you have time to spend, as you won't be able to put it down. I won't give away any of the fun as thats your job as you open up to page 1 to see if you can figure out who is behind it all before you flip to the last chapter! Also who will live and die or will anyone come out of this unscathed?"
— Kevin (5 out of 5 stars)
“A terrific read…Krueger not only tells a cracking good suspense story, but he tells if with deep insight.”
— T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author“The plot comes full circle as credibly flawed central characters find resolution…Krueger prolongs suspense to the very end.”
— Publishers Weekly“This character-driven novel should please readers who place thematic substance over a tricky puzzle.”
— Booklist“A wonderful page-turner.”
— Denver Post“Suspenseful, compelling, and highly readable.”
— Dallas Morning News" Third in the series of William Kent Krueger, Purgatory Ridge continues the story of Cork O'Connor and his family and friends of Aurora, Minnesota. When an explosion kills t;he night watchman at Karl Lindstrom's lumber mill, former sheriff Cork agtrees to help investigate even though he has mixed feelings since he is part Anishinaabe and his wife Jo represents the tribe in legal dealings. When Lindstrom's wife, son,Jo, and his own son Stevie are kidnapped, the suspense ratchets up to an almost unbearable pace. While Jo's sister Rose stays with Cork's two daughters, Cork pursues the two criminals thought to be Le Pere and Bridger who were asking for a two million dollar ransom. As always, the area around Aurora, Minnesota plays an enormous part in the story. A lot of the action occurs on Lake Superior including the final resolution. Ready for the next one, The Devil's Bed. "
— Bonnie, 2/16/2014" Unknown rating. "
— Ron, 2/15/2014" Not his best but a thriller to the end. His descriptions makes you yearn for Lake Superior. Best line of book; "conscience was a devil that plagued the individual. Collectively, a people squashed it as easily as stepping on a daisy. Then the mystery unravels several characters that either ignore their devils, and one who ignores and then does what is right and the strong who stick with their conscience. I love Krueger's writing! Great Read! "
— Roger, 2/14/2014" Each book in this series gets better and better! I can't wait to start the next.... "
— Ellen, 2/14/2014" Love the local setting, although it's sad. Not as much drama between characters as the first two. "
— Sally, 2/10/2014" Lots of layers and fascinating characters and double-dealing and danger in this book. (And only a tiny bit of the religious element that didn't work for me in a later novel.) Although I figured out early what and who was driving the case, I kept turning pages. "
— Carolyn, 1/25/2014" Book number 3 in the Cork O'Connor series. My favorite of the series so far. "
— Tina, 1/20/2014" Love Cork O'Conner "
— Dena, 1/16/2014" I'm not sure where or when I first saw a book by this author, all I can say is that I can't stop reading them. Tried and true, great stories all of them. This one is no different. A great read that I couldn't put down. I'm enamored of Cork and his family. And the setting comes alive. "
— D., 12/30/2013" Another great mystery in this series by W K Krueger. They just keep getting better with each one I read. What makes these novels work, is the family. Love the family in this series. "
— Rick, 12/5/2013" This series continues to impress. The main characters are evolving nicely and the plots have lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. "
— Harolyn, 11/28/2013" I liked this one the best of the series so far. Great plot. "
— Tina, 8/3/2013" As is my wont with mystery series, I am reading the entire series in order and I am really enjoying it. I love the northern Minnesota setting and I am intrigued by the off-and-on again relationship between Cork and Jo. On to Blood Hollow! "
— Paul, 2/6/2013" I am going to read this whole series. They are a good mystery and I love the characters. "
— Crystal, 1/7/2013" A good mystery summer read. Need I say more. "
— Diane, 8/26/2012" The third book in the Cork O'Connor mystery series. A real fun read. "
— Michael, 8/11/2012" The writing is definitely getting stronger, but I just don't like Jo, and she is a large focus of this book. As always, it's very captivating and suspenseful. I just didn't particularly like Jo taking a center stage in this one. "
— Amy, 5/11/2012" This was a decent kidnap story, it had a little surprise at the end that I didn't see coming, although I am sure a lot of people did. Probably my least favorite of Krueger's books so far, but still good. "
— Erik, 2/6/2012" This is the 4th or 5th I've read in the series and not the best, in my opinion. Not bad either but he set a high standard with the first, Iron Lake. Just got the feeling he wasn't as passionate about his subject this time as in the past. "
— Nancy, 12/18/2011" one of my favorite local authors! a Cork O'connor mystery, I love everything he writes "
— Annie, 9/30/2011" Love this series, never disappoints. "
— Sheila, 8/31/2011" My favorite in the series so far! Once again good characters, an easy read, and a twist at the end! "
— Perri, 8/13/2011" I love Cork! <br/>The whole series is good, addictive. "
— JoDee, 3/28/2011" The best of the series so far. Each one just gets better than the last. "
— Vickie, 1/26/2011" As is my wont with mystery series, I am reading the entire series in order and I am really enjoying it. I love the northern Minnesota setting and I am intrigued by the off-and-on again relationship between Cork and Jo. On to Blood Hollow! "
— Paul, 1/9/2011" Outstanding writer, who really "shows" rather than tells. It reads like a movie (and that's a good thing). Sympathetic characters--even the bad guys and the plot is believable. I will definitely read more by Mr. Krueger. "
— Sandra, 12/28/2010" A very good thriller set on the north shore of Minnesota. Strong, likable female characters, and lots of adventures--scuba diving, explosives, etc. for the guys. An action-driven plot that puts Grisham to shame. "
— Janet, 4/30/2010" What a wild ride this book was! I couldn't put it down once I got into the last fourth of it and stayed up late into the night as I worried more and more about Cork and his family and kept being jerked around one blind corner after another. "
— Beth, 3/28/2010" A very, very good book with a lot of stuff going on that ends up all tying up. Best series I've read yet. "
— Shockwave, 3/27/2010" Nicw to have amurder mystery without a lot of blood and guts. Like the scenary and backldrop and the family behind Cork O'Conner. "
— Amy, 3/25/2010" This was a decent kidnap story, it had a little surprise at the end that I didn't see coming, although I am sure a lot of people did. Probably my least favorite of Krueger's books so far, but still good. "
— Erik, 12/29/2009" one of the Cork O'Connor mystery series - good, quick reads. Set in northern MN. "
— Debi, 7/27/2009" I read this book after the next one in the series. Should have been in order... not for this book as much as the next one. An interesting tale in northern Minnesota once again. "
— Randy, 3/15/2009" Love the local setting, although it's sad. Not as much drama between characters as the first two. "
— Sally, 3/12/2009" I enjoyed this mystery because so many of the places listed--Beaver Bay, Shovel Point, Silver Bay--are near the cabin where we go every summer on the North Shore. I'm looking forward to talking with William Kent Kruger when he visits our library this evening. "
— Carolyn, 2/19/2009William Kent Krueger is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including nineteen acclaimed books in the Cork O’Conner mystery series that have won the Anthony and Dilys awards. His stand-alone novel, Ordinary Grace, won the Edgar, Anthony, Dilys, Barry, and Macavity awards. Learn more at WilliamKentKrueger.com.
David Chandler is an Earphones Award–winning narrator who has read numerous titles for New York Times bestselling authors William Kent Krueger and C. J. Box, among others.